Police: East Orange school teacher fatally shot by father of her child

EAST ORANGE (WABC) -- East Orange police are now investigating an overnight shooting that left a young teacher dead and a small child motherless. Investigators say 27 year old Latrena May, a teacher at Pride Academy was arguing with her daughters father outside her Tremont Ave apartment when things quickly escalated and she hailed down an police officer.

When the officer approached, police say 42-year-old Andre Higgs opened fire and killed Latrena. The officer then returned fire at Higgs who was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

"It's always the wrong people - not saying there's really a right person, but it's the people that you don't want to see nothing happen to, like good people, somebody that's a teacher and a mom doing something for herself" said Marc Ferrell.

Shocked and stunned, neighbors say their prayers are now with the family.

Andre Higgs has been charged with murder and weapons offenses